HMS Redmill (K 554)
British Frigate
HMS Redmill (K 554) after being torpedoed, assisted by HMS Rupert (K 561). Photo courtesy of K.R. MacPherson
| Name | HMS Redmill (K 554) | ||
| Type: | Frigate (Captain) | ||
| Tonnage | 1,300 tons | ||
| Completed | 1943 - Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyards Inc, Hingham MA | ||
| Owner | The Admiralty | ||
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| Date of attack | 27 Apr 1945 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | A total loss by U-1105 (Hans-Joachim Schwarz) | ||
| Position | 54° 23'N, 10° 36'W - Grid AM 5723 | ||
| Complement | ? men (32 dead and ? survivors). | ||
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| History | Built as unnamed destroyer escort (DE 89) of the Buckley class for the US Navy. On 30 Nov 1943, commissioned upon completion as frigate HMS Redmill (K 554) in the Royal Navy. In 1944 she served in the English Channel, the Arctic and the North Sea and in 1945 in the North Sea and the Atlantic. | ||
| Notes on event | On 27 April 1945, U-1105 detected three British frigates about 25 miles west of Mayo, which were part of the 2nd Division of the 21st Escort Group. The U-boat fired two Gnats and dived to 100 meters to escape the counterattack but sank to the bottom at 174m (570ft), and afterwards remained motionless. The first torpedo hit HMS Redmill (K 554) (Lt J.R.A. Denne, RN) after 50 seconds, followed by the second moments later. The ship was badly damaged but remained afloat, assisted by HMS Rupert (K 561) (Lt P.C.S. Black, RN). Ships and aircraft of the 21st Escort Group searched for the U-boat over the next 31 hours without success. On 4 May the Germans surrendered - to the same group which had failed to find her the week before. HMS Redmill (K 554) lost about 60 feet from her stern, was towed to Lisahally and declared a total loss. On 20 Jan 1947, the hulk was returned to the US Navy and on 4 February sold for scrap to Athens Piraeus Electricity Co Ltd, Athens. | ||
| More info | |||
| On board | We have details of 34 people who were on board. | ||
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